Geopolitical Importance of Unrecognized States












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            * Geopolitical Importance of Unrecognized States
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            Each year, the section of Geopolitical Studies of the Institute of Political Studies of th

            Social Sciences at Charles University hosts a conference that brings together experts in G
            around the world to discuss current issues in the field. This year, the conference opened 
            workshop on Taiwan on Thursday, November 12th, in the Jinonice Campus of CU. The rest of t

            took place on Friday, November 13th, in a beautiful building on Novotného Lávka in the Old
            excellent view of Charles Bridge. The topic: Geopolitical Importance of Unrecognized State
            Non-State Actors.

            After opening speeches and two keynote speakers, fourteen presentations were divided betwe
            subtopics: Theoretical Approaches to Recognition, Unrecognized States in the Post-Soviet S

            Unrecognized States and Territorial Non-State Actors in Global Perspective. Each presenter
            minutes to speak with a discussion open to the audience following each subtopic.
            First section was dedicated to the theoretical problems of the unrecognised states phenome

            legal issues connected with the topic. I was able to attend the four presentations on the 
            of Unrecognized States in the Post-Soviet Space. The first presentation, given by Urban Ja
            University of York, regarded Ontological Security of Post-Soviet De Facto States. Jakša pr

            the importance of de facto states having and pursuing national relational goals. Having th
            promotes self-identity and keeps the states connected to the international community. Jakš
            “behind routines, chaos lurks”, isolating de facto states through not promoting the develo

            relational goals leads to ontological insecurity.
            Another presentation on this subtopic regarded the geopolitical struggle between Russia an
            in relation to the development of the Ukraine. University of Pisa Professor Rolando M. Dro

            outlined some of the geopolitical issues surrounding Ukraine and the territories of Donest
            Valadez claimed one issue Ukraine faces is a linguistic division, as 45% of Ukraine speaks
            native language and 20% of the population identifies as Russian. Later in the discussion, 

            a response from a Ukrainian student who believed the linguistic divide in Ukraine was larg
            and that language differences don’t equate to ethnic differences.
            The rest of the afternoon consisted of detailed discussions of the issues of unrecognized 

            territories of former Soviet Union, in Africa and Asia (in particular regions of Iran and 
            conference was closed by a presentation by Přemysl Rosůlek from the University of West Boh
            which discussed the issue of referendum on independence.

            As an undergraduate who isn’t studying geopolitics, many of the presentations were difficu
            to follow. Each speaker specialized in an aspect of or specific conflict relating to geopo
            unrecognized states. I lacked the prior which I’m certain would have enabled me to get mor

            presentations. The rest of the audience however seemed more informed about the issues bein
            on. For them it seemed this conference enhanced their studies as well as provided a valuab
            opportunity. As an annual event I’m sure many students will return next year.
                                                                                                      
            Makenzie Muilenburg is an exchange student from Seattle, Washington in the United States s
            Faculty of Arts for winter semester. She is in her last year at her home university, the U
            psychology and business. In her free time she enjoys playing soccer, spending time with he
                                                                                                      
            excited to be a part of iForum, and is especially looking forward to working with other fo
            happenings of Charles University.